What is a factory reset?
A factory reset, also known as a hard reset, is the process of erasing all data and settings on a device and restoring it back to its original factory settings. This is essentially like taking the device back to day one, when you first bought it and turned it on for the first time.
On a Mac computer, a factory reset erases all user data and apps and resets system settings and preferences back to their defaults. It’s the same concept as reformatting your hard drive and doing a clean install of the operating system.
A factory reset can be useful if you’re selling or giving away your Mac, as it will wipe all your personal information. It can also help resolve persistent software issues or performance problems by eliminating any problematic apps, files or settings.
What does a factory reset do on a Mac?
Specifically, performing a factory reset on a Mac does the following:
– Deletes all user accounts and related data, including user folders like Documents, Pictures, Music, Desktop, etc.
– Removes all installed applications, including both App Store and non-App Store apps
– Resets system settings and preferences to defaults, like network settings, energy saver settings, keyboard settings, etc.
– Deletes all browser data including history, bookmarks, cookies, cache, etc.
– Wipes the hard drive completely clean and erases any stored data
– Reinstalls the latest macOS operating system that originally came with the Mac
– Removes any firmware passwords or activation locks
So in summary, a factory reset completely erases and reverts the Mac back to a blank state, as if you just bought it brand new from the Apple store. It removes any trace of your files, apps and customizations.
Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?
Yes, performing a factory reset on a Mac will remove any viruses, malware, or other harmful software that may have infected the computer.
Here’s why:
– All apps are deleted – Any malicious apps or infected software will be wiped from the system.
– The OS is reinstalled – The fresh install of macOS will overwrite any modified system files or settings changed by malware.
– A hard drive reformat – Completely erases infected files that may be buried deep in the file system.
– User data is wiped – Malware located in user folders and settings is deleted.
– Browser data erased – Potentially harmful browser add-ons, toolbars, and injections are removed.
So in summary, a factory reset gives the Mac a completely fresh start with a clean operating system and no trace of any previous infections. Performing one is an effective way to disinfect a Mac that’s been compromised by viruses or other malware. Of course, you’ll lose all your apps and data in the process.
Will a factory reset improve Mac performance?
Performing a factory reset can potentially improve your Mac’s performance and speed, for a few reasons:
– It deletes any unused, old or corrupted files that may be slowing things down. This frees up storage space.
– It removes unwanted apps and bloatware that run in the background and use up RAM.
– System settings are reset to their optimized defaults instead of values that may have degraded performance over time.
– The latest macOS is freshly installed in its cleanest state, without any lingering issues from past OS versions or upgrades.
– Fragmented storage is reformatted, helping read/write speeds.
However, a factory reset isn’t guaranteed to make your Mac faster. If the hardware itself is old and slow, doing a reset won’t speed it up. Problems like a worn out hard drive, low memory or an underpowered processor will still remain.
So while it can certainly help boost performance on some older Macs, it depends on the actual condition and specs of your machine. Other basic fixes like adding RAM or upgrading to an SSD may be more effective.
How to factory reset a Mac
There are a couple different ways to do a factory reset on a Mac. Here are the steps for each method:
Factory Reset Using macOS Recovery
1. Restart your Mac and hold down Command + R keys while it boots up to enter macOS Recovery mode.
2. When the macOS Utilities screen appears, select Disk Utility > Continue.
3. Choose your startup disk from the left sidebar. Click Erase at the top.
4. Set format to APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Choose a name for the disk.
5. Click Erase to wipe the drive.
6. Quit Disk Utility, then select Reinstall macOS to initiate the OS reinstallation.
Factory Reset from Mac Login Screen
1. Restart your Mac and hold down Shift + Option + Command + R keys during boot. This will launch Internet Recovery.
2. Select Disk Utility from the macOS Utilities screen. Click Continue if prompted.
3. Choose your Mac’s hard drive and click Erase. Confirm the erase.
4. After the drive erases, quit Disk Utility. Select Reinstall macOS from the main Utilities window.
Following either of these methods will do a complete factory reset of your Mac. Be sure to back up any important data first, as ALL information on the Mac will be deleted. The reinstallation of macOS may take a while to complete.
What data is lost after factory resetting a Mac?
Performing a factory reset on your Mac will permanently erase ALL of the following data:
User Files
– Documents, spreadsheets, presentations
– Photos, videos, music
– Downloads and archives
– Desktop, Documents, Pictures folders
– iCloud Drive files (unless synced online)
– Email attachments
– Programming code and projects
– Bookmarks, reading lists
– Notes, contacts, calendars
Installed Apps
– App Store apps
– Non-App Store apps
– Preferences and settings for apps
– Login items
– Widgets
System Settings
– User accounts and passwords
– Network settings like Wi-Fi configs
– Printers and scanners
– Mouse/trackpad preferences
– Keyboard settings like shortcuts
– Accessibility settings
– Energy saver settings
System Files
– macOS system files
– Firmware files
– Kernel extensions
– Fonts
– Caches
– Logs
Browser Data
– History, bookmarks, cookies
– Autofill info
– Extensions, plugins
– Caches
– Saved passwords
So in summary, ALL user data, apps, system settings, and OS files are permanently erased. Be absolutely certain to properly back up anything important before factory resetting your Mac.
How to back up a Mac before factory reset
It’s critically important to properly back up your Mac before doing a factory reset, as ALL local files and data will be permanently deleted. Here are some backup options to consider:
Time Machine Backup
Time Machine is built into macOS and makes automatic backups to an external hard drive. Connect a drive and go to System Preferences > Time Machine to configure it. Make sure your drive has backed up all your latest files before resetting.
iCloud Backup
You can backup files like photos, documents, contacts, calendars, and more to iCloud. Go to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud and enable backup for key data categories. Double check that everything is fully synced online.
External Drive Manual Backup
Manually copy important folders like Documents, Pictures, Music, etc. to an external USB drive or SD card. Eject the drive only after verifying the files have transferred.
Cloud Storage Manual Backup
Services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or iCloud Drive can be used to manually backup files by dragging them into respective app folders. Verify transfers are complete before reset.
Data Migration Tool
For a full backup of ALL data plus apps and settings, use the Migration Assistant tool. Connect an external drive and go to Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant. Follow prompts to create bootable backup.
So in summary, leverage both automatic backup tools like Time Machine and manual external backups to ensure no data is lost when you factory reset a Mac. Test restoring a few files from the backups to be double sure.
Will I lose software licenses after resetting Mac to factory settings?
Most paid software licenses and subscriptions will NOT be lost after resetting your Mac to factory settings. Here’s an overview:
App Store Apps
Apps downloaded from the official App Store are tied to your Apple ID, so you can simply redownload them for free after the reset. Your purchase history and licenses remain intact.
Subscription Apps
For paid subscription apps like Office 365 or Adobe Creative Cloud, you can sign back in using your original account details to restore access after the reset.
One-Time Purchase Apps
Apps purchased as one-time licenses can usually be reactivated after a reset using your original license key or previious order details.
Free Apps
You’ll need to manually reinstall free apps from scratch. But no licenses are lost since they were free.
Pre-installed Apps
Macs come with pre-loaded apps like GarageBand and iMovie. These will be freshly reinstalled with the macOS.
So in most cases, your software purchases and subscriptions will remain intact through the factory reset process. You’ll just need to redownload or sign back into the apps. But check with each vendor if unsure.
How to reinstall apps after factory resetting Mac
Here are some tips for getting your software and apps setup again after doing a factory reset on your Mac:
App Store Apps
– Open the App Store app and go to the Purchases tab to view your previous downloads. You can install them again for free.
Subscription Apps
– Launch the app and sign in with your original account credentials to restore access.
Free Apps
– Check your old browser bookmarks, files and Google search history to find apps you need to redownload.
Disc-Based Apps
– If you have the original discs, insert them and run the installer again.
Mac App Store Purchase History
– You can view your complete Mac App Store purchase history at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204275.
Reactivation Keys
– Use your original product key, license certificate or purchase receipt to reactivate one-time purchases.
Apple Device Apps
– Apps like Find My, FaceTime, iBooks and more can be redownloaded from the App Store.
So in summary, dig through your old records and account details to get replays of your purchased and subscribed apps. Contact developers if you have trouble reactivating.
Potential risks of resetting a Mac to factory settings
While factory resetting a Mac can fix many issues and offer a fresh start, there are some potential risks and downsides to be aware of:
– Permanent loss of all local, unsynced data – Files, photos, settings all erased if not properly backed up.
– Loss of software licenses – In some cases registration keys or proofs of purchase may be lost.
– Time investment in reconfiguring – Takes time to reinstall apps, redo settings, configure accounts, etc.
– Partial problem resolution – Hardware issues or macOS corruption may still remain.
– Potential bugs – A small chance bugs in the reinstallation process cause new problems.
– Errors restoring data – Backups could have problems or missing data.
So while rare, there are scenarios where a factory reset might complicate problems further, or result in permanent data loss if backups fail. Having current backups minimizes most of the risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is factory resetting the same as reformatting a hard drive?
Yes, the factory reset process includes reformatting and erasing the Mac hard drive. Reformatting is required to wipe all data and install a fresh macOS.
Will I lose my Mac admin password after factory reset?
Yes, all user accounts and passwords are erased after a factory reset. You’ll need to create a new admin user and password.
What version of macOS will be installed after resetting?
The latest version of macOS that your Mac originally came with will be freshly installed during the recovery process.
Can I reset without losing data?
No, a factory reset by definition erases all user data. You’ll need to fully backup your files before resetting your Mac.
Will a reset fix macOS crashes or hangs?
Maybe. If software corruption is causing the issue, a fresh install can resolve it. But hardware problems will likely still remain.
If I only have hardware issues, will a factory reset help?
No. Resetting software will not resolve existing Mac hardware problems like failed components or damage.
Conclusion
In summary, performing a factory reset on your Mac completely wipes it clean and restores original factory settings. This removes all user data, installed apps, system customizations, and browser data. While handy for fixing software issues or erasing data when selling a Mac, it comes with the risk of permanent data loss if proper backups aren’t made. Carefully consider both the benefits and potential downsides before factory resetting your Mac.